THE NUCLEIC ACID AND CARBOHYDRATE OF INFLUENZA VIRUS

Abstract

Both ribonucleic and desoxyribonucleic acids have been obtained from purified particles of PR8 influenza virus. These particles were also found by extraction with formamide to contain carbohydrate in addition to that of the nucleic acids. Carbohydrate-rich fractions, essentially devoid of nucleic acid, were obtained not only from the particles representing PR8 virus but from those of Lee influenza virus as well. The carbohydrate in each case appeared to be a polysaccharide composed of mannose, galactose, and glucosamine units.